Sometimes life is funny. Have you ever had one recurring message that just keeps “showing up” in your life? One that seems to be everywhere? On the radio, on your Facebook feed, in articles posted on Linkedin, in a random blog post that you come across, in your daily devotionals, in conversations you have with your friends. And, notice I wrote friends plural—as in more than one.

It's like God is trying to send you a message. Well, God, I want you to know that I hear you. I get it.

For the last week and half or so, I have been hearing “slow down” in various forms and incarnations—both in how I am receiving the message and in how I should slow down.

Apparently, I need to slow down my life, my thoughts, my actions, and my words. I just need to slow down everywhere, in all areas, or so it seems.

And, I must say, this is great advice. The older I get the more I realize this. Wouldn’t you agree? In the Bible, James 4:14 reminds us, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

We are a mist that appears for a little time. A. Little. Time. – and then vanishes.

If that verse doesn’t make you stop in your tracks, you might need to seek help.

As a kid, I remember it feeling like FOREVER for Christmas or summer break to roll around. Now, I feel like Christmas was about a month ago. Another funny thing about life is the older we get; the faster time goes by. We as humans get slower. Our bodies age and don’t work as well as they once did. It can take us longer to do things. Or, we get to a point where we can’t do things at all anymore. All the while that clock spins faster and faster and faster. And, we all rush around trying to get this thing done and that thing done. Rush, rush, rush. You know it’s true.

So, with all of this in mind, I urge you to slow down. Stop and smell the roses. Take your time. Enjoy the little things. Heck, enjoy everything! Be mindful and thankful. Psalm 90:12 tells us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. This means we need to use our time wisely, because we don’t get very much of it. Isn’t it better to just slow down? I mean, really?

When we get in a hurry, things slip through the cracks. Jobs are done shoddily. Mistakes are made. We end up having to go back and re-do stuff. Isn’t it a much better use of our time, if we just slow down and make sure that everything is done correctly to begin with? I think so. And, I think you would agree with me.​So, I don’t know about you, but I am going to focus on taking a step back, taking things down a notch. I am going to be more mindful of my time, of my thoughts, of my words, of my actions. I think God is telling me that this is what I need to do. So, that is my plan. And, I have a feeling that I will be glad I did it. I hear you, Lord. Thank you for all the reminders!